Wireless management of modular subsystems with proxy node options

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit for use in a wireless management system with a primary node and secondary nodes includes: a wireless transceiver; and a wireless management controller included with or coupled to the wireless transceiver. The wireless management controller is configured to: identify a first secondary node of the secondary nodes in communication with the primary node; identify a second secondary node of the secondary nodes not in communication with the primary node; and enable the first secondary node to operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node.

BACKGROUND

As new electronic devices are developed and integrated circuit (IC)technology advances, new IC products are commercialized. One example ICproduct for electronic devices is a wireless transceiver or relatedcontrollers. There are many different wireless communication protocolsand related wireless transceivers to support different ranges ofwireless data transmission, different levels of security, frequenciesused, and/or other variations.

In a conventional wired battery management system, rechargeablebatteries are managed by circuitry for the safe and efficient operationof the batteries in real-life applications, such as electric vehicles.Also, wired communication interfaces are used to connect a mainmicrocontroller to each battery module, and each battery module ischained to the rest of the battery modules in a daisy chain. With wiredcommunication interfaces, the main microcontroller cannot monitor andcontrol all the battery modules in parallel without complex wiring. Thiswiring makes repair or replacement of individual battery cells moredifficult.

Use of a wireless connection between the battery modules and themicrocontroller has been proposed to make management of battery modulesmore flexible and easier to repair. In a wireless battery managementsystem (WBMS), a microcontroller monitors each battery module andcommunicates with the battery modules using wireless communicationinterfaces. The main microcontroller controls all the battery modulesusing a WBMS protocol. Wireless communication interfaces can suffer fromwireless communication channel bandwidth variance, interference, and/orother issues, which would prevent proper monitoring and management in aWBMS.

SUMMARY

In at least one example, an integrated circuit for use in a wirelessmanagement system with a primary node and secondary nodes includes: awireless transceiver; and a wireless management controller included withor coupled to the wireless transceiver. The wireless managementcontroller is configured to: identify a first secondary node of thesecondary nodes in communication with the primary node; identify asecond secondary node of the secondary nodes not in communication withthe primary node; and enable the first secondary node to operate as aproxy node that repeats downlink messages to or uplink messages from thesecond secondary node.

In another example, a system comprises: modular subsystems, each of themodular subsystems having a respective monitored electrical component; acontroller for the modular subsystems; and a wireless management systemfor the modular subsystems. The wireless management system has: aprimary node coupled to the controller; and secondary nodes, eachsecondary node coupled to or included with a respective modularsubsystem of the modular subsystems. The primary node is configured to:identify a first secondary node of the secondary nodes in communicationwith the primary node; identify a second secondary node of the secondarynodes not in communication with the primary node; and direct the firstsecondary node to operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messagesto or uplink messages from the second secondary node.

In yet another example, a method for use in a wireless management systemwith a primary node and secondary nodes comprises: identifying, by theprimary node, a first secondary node of the secondary nodes incommunication with the primary node; and identifying, by the primarynode, a second secondary node of the secondary nodes not incommunication with the primary node. The method also comprises using thefirst secondary node as a proxy node that repeats downlink messages toor uplink messages from the second secondary node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system with wireless management ofmodular subsystems in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another system with wireless management ofmodular subsystems in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a wireless battery management system (WBMS) inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a wireless management network protocol inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of another wireless management network protocol inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a wireless management system method inaccordance with an example embodiment.

The same reference numbers are used in the drawings to depict the sameor similar (structurally and/or functionally) features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a proxy node technique for a wireless managementsystem with a primary node and secondary nodes. The described techniqueinvolves: identifying a first secondary node of the secondary nodes thatis in communication with the primary node; and identifying a secondsecondary node of the secondary nodes that is not in communication withthe primary node. The first secondary node is used as a proxy node thatrepeats downlink messages to or uplink messages from the secondsecondary node. In some example embodiments, the first secondary noderepeats downlink messages to or uplink messages from the secondsecondary node during an uplink interval of the first secondary node. Inother example embodiments, the first secondary node repeats downlinkmessages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node during oneor more proxy node intervals.

In some example embodiments, a system includes modular subsystems, eachof the modular subsystems having a respective monitored electricalcomponent (e.g., a rechargeable battery or other monitored electricalcomponent). The system also includes a controller for the modularsubsystems. The system also includes a wireless management system forthe modular subsystems. The wireless management system includes: aprimary node coupled to the controller; and secondary nodes, eachsecondary node coupled to a respective modular subsystem of the modularsubsystems. The primary node is configured to: identify a firstsecondary node of the secondary nodes in communication with the primarynode; identify a second secondary node of the secondary nodes not incommunication with the primary node; and direct the first secondary nodeto operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messages to or uplinkmessages from the second secondary node.

In some example embodiments, an integrated circuit for use in a wirelessmanagement system includes: a wireless transceiver; and a wirelessmanagement controller included with or coupled to the wirelesstransceiver. The wireless management controller is configured to:identify a first secondary node of the secondary nodes in communicationwith the primary node; identify a second secondary node of the secondarynodes not in communication with the primary node; and enable the firstsecondary node to operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messagesto or uplink messages from the second secondary node. In some exampleembodiments, such an integrated circuit with related wirelesstransceiver and wireless management controller is configured to operateas a primary node that supports the described proxy node operations. Inother example embodiments, such an integrated circuit with relatedwireless transceiver and wireless management controller is configured tooperate as a secondary node that supports the described proxy nodeoperations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 with wireless management ofmodular subsystems 112A-112N in accordance with an example embodiment.As shown, the system 100 includes a controller 102 coupled to a wirelessinterface 104 with a primary node 106. The primary node 106 performsproxy management operations using a wireless management controller 108with a proxy node manager element 110. The wireless managementcontroller 108 with the proxy node manager element 110 include hardware,software, and/or instructions configured to perform messaging and proxynode management for communications to or from the modular subsystems112A-112N.

As shown, the modular subsystem 112A includes a wireless interface 114with a secondary node 116. The secondary node 116 performs messaging andproxy node operations using wireless management controller 118 withproxy node assignment element 120. The wireless management controller118 with the proxy node assignment element 120 include hardware,firmware, and/or software configured to perform uplink messaging fromthe modular subsystem 112A to the primary node 106 as well as proxy nodeoperations as needed. In some example embodiments, the proxy nodeoperations are based on assignment from the primary node 106. Onceassigned, the secondary node 116 performs its own uplink messaging aswell as repeating downlink messages to and/or repeating uplink messagesfrom another secondary node that is unable to communicate directly withthe primary node 106.

In the example of FIG. 1, the modular subsystem 112A includes amonitored electrical component 126. In some example embodiments, themonitored electrical component 126 is a rechargeable battery or anothercomponent with a variable status. To account for the variable status ofthe monitored electrical component 126, the modular subsystem 112Aincludes a monitor 122 configured to monitor parameters or operations ofthe monitored electrical component 126. The modular subsystem 112A alsoincludes an adjustment controller 124 configured to make adjustments tothe monitored electrical component 126.

Without limitation, each of the modular subsystems 112B-112N may havethe same topology as the modular subsystem 112A. As desired, thefunctionality of monitored electrical components, such as the monitoredelectrical component 126, for each of the modular subsystems 112B-112Nis combined and the combined functionality of all of the monitoredelectrical components is also monitored and adjusted as needed. Overtime, the performance of the monitored electrical components and/orother components of the modular subsystem 112A-112N may degrade. In suchcase, adjustment or replacement of a specific monitored electricalcomponent or other components of a given modular subsystem may beneeded. By using the wireless interfaces 104 and 114, such replacementis facilitated (i.e., fewer wired connections are used) while supportingmonitoring, adjustment, status update, parameter transfer, and/or datastorage operations for the monitored electrical components of themodular subsystems 112A-112N. The use of proxy node operations in thesystem 100 ensures ongoing wireless management of the modular subsystems112A-112N and related monitored electrical components (e.g., themonitored electrical component 126) even if one or more of the wirelessinterfaces of the system 100 is unable to communicate with the primarynode 106 for a time (e.g., due to wireless communication channelunavailability, interference, or other issues).

In FIG. 1, the controller 102 is also coupled to other components 132via a communication interface 130. An example of the other components132 is an electronic control unit (ECU), which manages the electricalsubsystems of a vehicle or other system responsive to the ongoing statusand operations of the modular subsystems 112A-112N.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system 200 with wireless management ofmodular subsystems 222A-222N (examples of the modular subsystems112A-112N in FIG. 1) in accordance with another example embodiment. InFIG. 2, the system 200 includes a lower voltage (e.g., 12, 24, or 48volts) domain 202 with a control circuit 204. In the example of FIG. 2,the modular subsystems 222A-222N are in a higher voltage (e.g., severalhundreds of volts) domain 203 compared to the control circuit 204. Asshown, the control circuit 204 includes a microcontroller 102A (anexample of the controller 102 in FIG. 1) and a wireless interface 104A(an example of the wireless interface 104 in FIG. 1). The controlcircuit 204 also includes a communications bridge 208 between themicrocontroller 102A and the wireless interface 104A. In the example ofFIG. 2, a main ECU 250 for the system 200 is coupled to the controlcircuit 204 via a communication interface 130A (an example of thecommunication interface 130 in FIG. 1). In operation, the wirelessinterface 104A performs proxy node management operations as describedherein.

As shown, the modular subsystem 222A includes a module 230A, such as aprinted circuit board (PCB) or other circuit, with a wireless interface114A (an example of the wireless interface 114 in FIG. 4), a monitor122A (an example of the monitor 122 in FIG. 1), and an adjustmentcontroller 124A (an example of the adjustment controller 124 in FIG. 1).The module 230A is coupled to a monitored electrical component 126A (anexample of the monitored electrical component 126 in FIG. 1). Themodular subsystems 222B-222N each include a respective module 230B-230Ncoupled to a respective monitored electrical component 126B-126N. Insome example embodiments, the monitored electrical components 126A-126Nare rechargeable batteries or other components with a variable status.Without limitation, each the modules 230B-230N include the same type ofcomponents as the module 230A (e.g., wireless interface, a monitor, andan adjustment controller).

In FIG. 2, the wireless interface 104A includes a primary node, and eachof the wireless interfaces 114A-1114N include a secondary node asdescribed herein. Also, the monitored electronic components 126A-126Nmay be coupled together to provide a combined function. As shown, thesystem 200 includes switches 240, 242, and component 244. In someexample embodiments, the component 244 is a motor/engine. In this case,closing the circuit at switches 240 and 242, results in current flowingthrough the engine/motor to operate a vehicle. During the parking orwhen the car is OFF, the circuit is open and no energy is wasted. Theswitches 240 and 242 are controlled by a control signal from themicrocontroller 102A, which is conveyed to the switches 240 and 242 viainterface 216. In FIG. 2, the microcontroller 102A also receives acurrent sense signal 248 via interface 218, where the current sensesignal 248 is generated from a loop 244 or related sensor 246.

In operation, the wireless interface 104A is configured to performprimary node proxy node management operations. Also, the wirelessinterface 114A is configured to perform proxy node assignmentoperations. As desired, the functionality of the monitored electricalcomponents 126A-126N is combined and the combined functionality of allof the monitored electrical components is also monitored and adjusted.Over time, the performance of the monitored electrical components126A-126N and/or other components of the modular subsystem 222A-222N maydegrade. In such case, adjustment or replacement of a specific monitoredelectrical component or other components of a given modular subsystemmay be needed. By using the wireless interfaces 104A and 114A, suchreplacement is facilitated while supporting monitoring, adjustment,status update, parameter transfer, and/or data storage operations forthe monitored electrical components 126A-126N of the modular subsystems222A-222N. The use of one or more proxy nodes in the system 200 enablesongoing wireless management of the modular subsystems 222A-222N, even ifone or more or more wireless communication channels between the networkinterface 104A and 114A is unavailable.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a wireless battery management system (WBMS) 300in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown, the WBMS 300includes battery cells 302A-302H (e.g., Li-ion cells) in series. Each ofthe battery cells 302A-302H is coupled to a respective module 304A-304H(examples of the modules 222A-222N) to form respective modularsubsystems (e.g., the battery cell 302A and the module 304A is anexample of the modular subsystem 112A in FIG. 1, or the modularsubsystem 222A in FIG. 2). Each of the modules 302A-302H includes arespective wireless interface 314A-314H (examples of the wirelessinterface 114 in FIG. 1, or the wireless interface 114A in FIG. 2) toperform monitoring, adjustment, and/or wireless communicationoperations, including proxy node operations as described herein. TheWBMS 300 also includes a control circuit 204A (an example of the controlcircuit 204 in FIG. 2) with a microcontroller 102B (an example of themicrocontroller 102 in FIG. 1), a wireless transceiver 104B (an exampleof the wireless transceiver 104 in FIG. 1), and a communicationinterface 130B (an example of the communication interface 130 in FIG.1). The control circuit 204A is coupled to an antenna 308 for wirelesscommunications with the modules 304A-304H. In operation, the wirelesstransceiver 104B is configured to perform proxy node management asdescribed herein.

With the WBMS 300, the functionality of the battery cells 302A-302H iscombined and the combined functionality of all of the battery cells302A-302H is monitored and adjusted. Over time, the performance of thebattery cells 302A-302H may degrade. In such case, adjustment orreplacement of a specific one of the battery cells 302A-302H or othercomponents of the modular subsystems may be needed. By using thewireless interfaces 104B and respective wireless interfaces of themodules 304A-304H, such replacement is facilitated while supportingmonitoring, adjustment, status update, parameter transfer, and/or otheroperations related to the battery cells 302A-302H. The use of proxy nodeoperations in the WBMS 300 helps ensure ongoing wireless management forthe battery cells 302A-302H even if a particular module of the modules304A-304H is unable to communicate with the wireless transceiver 104B(e.g., due to a respective wireless communication channel being poorquality, interference, or other issues). In such case, a module that isable to communicate with the wireless transceiver 104B is assigned toperform proxy node operations. The proxy node operations involverepeating downlink messages to or uplink message from the module that isunable to communicate directly with the wireless transceiver 104B.

In FIG. 3, the control circuit 204A includes an integrated circuit witha wireless transceiver 104B configured to operate as the primary node ofthe WBMS 300. Also, each of the modules 304A-304H includes a respectiveintegrated circuit with a wireless interface (a respective one of thewireless interfaces 314A-314H) configured to operate as secondary nodesof the WBMS 300. For example, each of the integrated circuits of theWBMS 300 may include hardware, firmware, and/or software configured toperform the wireless management and proxy node operations describedherein.

In some example embodiments, each of the wireless interfaces 104 and 114in FIG. 1, the wireless interfaces 104A and 114B in FIG. 2, and thewireless interfaces 104B and wireless interfaces 314A-314H in FIG. 3 ispart of a respective integrated circuit that includes a wirelesstransceiver and a wireless management controller (e.g., the wirelessmanagement controller 108 or the wireless management controller 118 inFIG. 1). Each wireless management controller is configured to: identifya first secondary node of the secondary nodes in communication with theprimary node; identify a second secondary node of the secondary nodesnot in communication with the primary node; and enable the firstsecondary node to operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messagesto or uplink messages from the second secondary node.

In some example embodiments, a wireless management controller, operatingas controller of a primary node, causes the primary node to transmit aproxy node assignment to the first secondary node after the first andsecond secondary nodes are identified. In some example embodiments, awireless management controller, operating as controller of the firstsecondary node, causes the first secondary node to repeat a downlinkmessage from the primary node to the second secondary node during anuplink interval of the first secondary node. In some exampleembodiments, a wireless management controller, operating as controllerof the first secondary node, causes the first secondary node to repeatan uplink message from the second secondary node to the primary nodeduring an uplink interval of the first secondary node. In some exampleembodiments, the wireless management controller, operating as controllerof the first secondary node, causes the first secondary node to:transmit an uplink message to the primary node during an uplink intervalof the first secondary node; repeat a downlink message from the primarynode to the second secondary node during the uplink interval of thefirst secondary node; and repeat an uplink message from the secondsecondary node to the primary node during the uplink interval of thefirst secondary node.

In some example embodiments, a wireless management controller, operatingas controller of the first secondary node, causes the first secondarynode to repeat a downlink message from primary node to the secondsecondary node during a downlink proxy node interval separate from adownlink interval of the primary node and uplink intervals of thesecondary nodes. In some example embodiments, a wireless managementcontroller, operating as controller of the first secondary node, causesthe first secondary node to repeat an uplink message from the secondsecondary node to the primary node during an uplink proxy node intervalseparate from a downlink interval of the primary node and uplinkintervals of the secondary nodes. In some example embodiments, awireless management controller, operating as controller of the firstsecondary node, causes the first secondary node to: repeat an uplinkmessage from the second secondary node to the primary node during aproxy node interval separate from a downlink interval of the primarynode and uplink intervals of the secondary nodes; and repeat a downlinkmessage from primary node to the second secondary node during the proxynode interval. Other proxy node operations are possible.

In some example embodiments, a system (e.g., system 100 in FIG. 1,system 200 in FIG. 2, or WBMS 300 in FIG. 3) includes modular subsystems(e.g., the modular subsystems 112A-112N in FIG. 1, or the modularsubsystems 222A-222N in FIG. 2), each of the modular subsystems having arespective monitored electrical component (e.g., the monitoredelectrical component 126 in FIG. 1, or the monitored electricalcomponents 126A-126N). The system also includes a controller (e.g.,controller 102 in FIG. 1, microcontroller 102A in FIG. 2, ormicrocontroller 102B in FIG. 3) for the modular subsystems. The systemalso includes a wireless management system (e.g., the wirelessinterfaces 104 and 114 in FIG. 1, the wireless interfaces 104A and 114Bin FIG. 2, or the wireless interfaces 104B and 314A-314H in FIG. 3) forthe modular subsystems. The wireless management system has: a primarynode coupled to the controller; and a fixed set of secondary nodes, eachsecondary node coupled to or included with a respective modularsubsystem of the modular subsystems. The wireless management system isconfigured to: establish a first network that defines the primary nodeand a fixed set of secondary nodes; and in response to a proxy nodetrigger, establish a second network that adds a proxy node capability toa given secondary node of the fixed set of secondary nodes.

In some example embodiments, the proxy node trigger is initiated by oneof the fixed set of secondary nodes. In some example embodiments, theproxy node trigger is initiated by the primary node. In some exampleembodiments (e.g., in a multi-hop wireless network), the primary node isconfigured to: receive a routing advertisement frame from one of thesecondary nodes of the fixed set of secondary nodes; and generate theproxy node trigger based on the routing advertisement frame. In someexample embodiments, the wireless management system is configured to:identify a first secondary node of the fixed set of secondary nodes thatis in communication with the primary node; identify a second secondarynode of the fixed set of secondary nodes that is not in communicationwith the primary node; and enable the first secondary node to operate asa proxy node that repeats downlink messages to or uplink messages fromthe second secondary node.

In some example embodiments, the first secondary node is configured toaggregate an uplink message of the first secondary node with an uplinkmessage of the second secondary node. In some example embodiments, thefirst secondary node is configured to aggregate a downlink message ofthe primary node with an uplink message of the first secondary node. Insome example embodiments, the first secondary node is configured torepeat a downlink message from the primary node to the second secondarynode during a downlink proxy node interval separate from a downlinkinterval of the primary node and uplink intervals of the secondarynodes. In some example embodiments, the first secondary node isconfigured to repeat an uplink message from the second secondary node tothe primary node during an uplink proxy node interval separate from adownlink interval of the primary node and uplink intervals of thesecondary nodes. In some example embodiments, each respective monitoredelectrical component is a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a wireless management network protocol 400 inaccordance with an example embodiment. The protocol 400 supports dataexchanges between a primary node and N-secondary nodes in a wirelessmanagement system or WBMS. In FIG. 4, time is divided into slots and theprimary node transmits packets in the downlink (DL) slot, while thesecondary nodes transmit their data packets in the uplink (UL) slots.The time interval that includes a single DL slot (for the primary nodeto transmit) and respective UL slots for the secondary nodes to transmittheir packets is called a Superframe interval.

In FIG. 4, secondary node 2 has been identified as a first secondarynode that is in communication with the primary node, and the secondarynode N has been identified as a second secondary node that is not incommunication with the primary node. Accordingly, the secondary node 2receives an assignment (block 406) from the primary node to operate as aproxy node for the secondary node N. Subsequently, during its uplinkinterval, the secondary node 2 performs proxy node operations (block408) by repeating a downlink message to and/or an uplink message fromthe secondary node N. In some example embodiments, the timing of theuplink interval can be adjusted forwards (indicator 402) or backwards(indicator 404) to facilitate use of the secondary node 2 for proxy nodeoperations. For example, if the interval for the first secondary node isafter the interval for the second secondary node, the uplink data sentby the second secondary node can be forwarded (by the first secondarynode) to the primary node in the same Superframe interval. In otherscenario, where the second secondary node is ahead in its allocated slotrelative to the first secondary node, the downlink message that thesecond secondary node receives needs to be within the same Superframeinterval.

In some example embodiments, if secondary Node N is the one not able tocommunicate with the primary node, but the secondary node 2 is able tohear both the primary node and the secondary Node N (due to its positionrelative to both), then secondary node 2 can perform proxy nodeoperations by adding to its UL packet the following information: DLcontent from the DL frame sent by the primary node; and/or UL contentfrom the UL frame sent by Node N. Because WBMS allows for packetaggregation, this is doable, however, prioritization of the content sentby proxy node operations may be needed. If the UL frame length of thesecondary node 2 is not sufficient, proxy node operations may includedetermining which content to send first Example priority optionsinclude: DL content from the primary node, data of the secondary node 2,or UL content from the secondary node N. This decision can be made atthe secondary node 2 based on the delays for each of the content. As anexample, if DL content includes command data that motivates immediatereception, then DL content is included first and any additional data isadded based on space in the UL frame of the secondary node 2.

At the primary node, once a UL packet is received from secondary node 2,the primary node is able to separate the DL content that is repeated(since it was already sent by the primary node), UL content from thesecond node 2, and UL content from the secondary node N. The sameprocess happens at the secondary node N as well. The secondary node Nwill be able to distinguish between the content of the aggregated data.This can be done via additional fields/flags/frame types added to the ULframe sent by the secondary node 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a wireless management network protocol 500 inaccordance with an example embodiment. The protocol 500 supports dataexchanges between a primary node and N-secondary nodes in a wirelessmanagement system or WBMS. In FIG. 5, time is divided into slots and theprimary node transmits packets in the DL slot, while the secondary nodestransmit their data packets in the UL slots. The time interval thatincludes a single DL slot (for the primary node to transmit) andrespective UL slots for the secondary nodes to transmit their packets iscalled a Superframe interval.

In FIG. 5, secondary node 2 has been identified as a first secondarynode that is in communication with the primary node, and the secondarynode N has been identified as a second secondary node that is not incommunication with the primary node. Accordingly, the secondary node 2receives an assignment (block 502) from the primary node to operate as aproxy node for secondary node N. Subsequently, during a proxy nodedownlink interval 504, the secondary node 2 performs proxy nodeoperations by repeating a downlink message from the primary node to thesecondary node N. Also, during a proxy node uplink interval 506, thesecondary node 2 performs proxy node operations by repeating an uplinkmessage from the secondary node N to the primary node. As anotheroption, one proxy node interface separate from the DL interval of theprimary node and the UL intervals of the secondary nodes is used torepeat uplink and/or downlink messages to the secondary node N.

In some example embodiments, a single additional proxy node interval isutilized for proxy node operations, where DL content and UL content areboth included in the packet. In such case, there is a Superframe delayfor the content received from the secondary node N. With a singleadditional proxy node interval, the secondary node 2 can use its UL slotto transmit DL content to the secondary node N and use the additionalproxy node slot to transmit both UL contents (from the secondary node 2and the secondary node N) to the primary node. As another option, with asingle additional proxy node interval, the secondary node 2 can use itsUL slot to transmit DL content and its own UL content. The singleadditional proxy node interval is then used to transmit UL content fromsecondary node N.

In some example embodiments, there is more than one secondary node notbeing able to reach the primary node. If there are two such secondarynodes, then wireless management systems may use the two UL intervals forthe secondary nodes to transmit a combination of DL content and ULcontent from each node. As another option, if a single additional proxynode interval is available, then: 1) DL content and its own UL contentis transmitted during the UL interval of the secondary node 2; and 2)the single additional proxy node interval is used to transmit both ULcontents from both secondary nodes that are not able to reach theprimary node. As another option, if two additional proxy node intervalsare available for use by the two secondary nodes that are unable toreach the primary node, each of these secondary nodes may use one of theavailable additional proxy node intervals for DL content and/or ULcontent. With each additional node being added to the hop extension, oneor two additional proxy node intervals may be used.

In a conventional beacon system, a stringent allocation is used (i.e.,the number of slots or Superframe size is set at the start of thenetwork. For a WBMS network and a given enclosure, the number of nodesto be included in the given enclosure is known beforehand. For example,an enclosure may need 10 secondary nodes and 1 primary node. In thiscase, the WBMS will setup the network with 1 DL and 10 UL. Conventionalwireless networks do not accommodate on-the-fly updates to the network(i.e., the Superframe is fixed and does not change once set). However,in the described approach changes to the Superframe are supportedincluding the number of slots that are allocated. This improvesefficiency and delay in the network. In addition, for multi-hop wirelessnetworks, the primary node is not aware of the secondary nodes not beingable to connect. Rather, that solution is done via routing advertisementframes. In other words, a secondary node (the secondary node that needshelp or a secondary node that is able to help) may initiate a proxy nodetrigger and related operations. On the other hand, in a WBMS scenario orother one-hop scenario, the primary node is aware of the secondary nodesto be connected. Hence, in these scenarios, the primary node initiates aproxy node trigger and related operations. Another feature that issupported in the described solution is the aggregation of data by aproxy node (e.g., to convey data from multiple secondary nodes or fromthe primary node and secondary nodes). The described proxy node optionsfor WBMS or other embodiments supports aggregation of such data becauseof other intrinsic features (e.g., encryption key).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a wireless management system method 600 inaccordance with an example embodiment. The method 600 is performed by aprimary node and secondary nodes (or respective wireless interfaces,circuitry, integrated circuits, etc.) of a wireless management system.As shown, the method 600 includes identifying, by a primary node, afirst secondary node that is in communication with the primary node atblock 602. At block 604, the primary node identifies a second secondarynode that is not in communication with the primary node. At block 606,the first secondary node is used as a proxy node that repeats downlinkmessages to or uplink messaged from the second secondary node.

In some example embodiments, the method 600 includes transmitting, bythe primary node, a proxy node assignment to the first secondary nodeafter the first and second secondary nodes are identified. In someexample embodiments, the method 600 includes using, by the firstsecondary node, an uplink interval of the first secondary node to repeatdownlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node.In some example embodiments, the method 600 includes using, by the firstsecondary node, a proxy node interval separate from a downlink intervalof the primary node and uplink intervals of the secondary nodes torepeat downlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondarynode.

In this description, the term “couple” may cover connections,communications, or signal paths that enable a functional relationshipconsistent with this description. For example, if device A generates asignal to control device B to perform an action: (a) in a first example,device A is coupled to device B by direct connection; or (b) in a secondexample, device A is coupled to device B through intervening component Cif intervening component C does not alter the functional relationshipbetween device A and device B, such that device B is controlled bydevice A via the control signal generated by device A.

Modifications are possible in the described embodiments, and otherembodiments are possible, within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit for use in a wirelessmanagement system with a primary node and secondary nodes, comprising: awireless transceiver; and a wireless management controller included withor coupled to the wireless transceiver, the wireless managementcontroller configured to: identify a first secondary node of thesecondary nodes that is in communication with the primary node; identifya second secondary node of the secondary nodes that is not incommunication with the primary node; and enable the first secondary nodeto operate as a proxy node that repeats downlink messages to or uplinkmessages from the second secondary node.
 2. The integrated circuit ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless management controller, operating ascontroller of the primary node, causes the primary node to transmit aproxy node assignment to the first secondary node after the first andsecond secondary nodes are identified.
 3. The integrated circuit ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless management controller, operating ascontroller of the first secondary node, causes the first secondary nodeto repeat a downlink message from the primary node to the secondsecondary node during an uplink interval of the first secondary node. 4.The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the wireless managementcontroller, operating as controller of the first secondary node, causesthe first secondary node to repeat an uplink message from the secondsecondary node to the primary node during an uplink interval of thefirst secondary node.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein thewireless management controller, operating as controller of the firstsecondary node, causes the first secondary node to: transmit an uplinkmessage to the primary node during an uplink interval of the firstsecondary node; repeat a downlink message from the primary node to thesecond secondary node during the uplink interval of the first secondarynode; and repeat an uplink message from the second secondary node to theprimary node during the uplink interval of the first secondary node. 6.The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the wireless managementcontroller, operating as controller of the first secondary node, causesthe first secondary node to repeat a downlink message from primary nodeto the second secondary node during a downlink proxy node intervalseparate from a downlink interval of the primary node and uplinkintervals of the secondary nodes.
 7. The integrated circuit of claim 1,wherein the wireless management controller, operating as controller ofthe first secondary node, causes the first secondary node to repeat anuplink message from the second secondary node to the primary node duringan uplink proxy node interval separate from a downlink interval of theprimary node and uplink intervals of the secondary nodes.
 8. Theintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the wireless managementcontroller, operating as controller of the first secondary node, causesthe first secondary node to: repeat an uplink message from the secondsecondary node to the primary node during a proxy node interval separatefrom a downlink interval of the primary node and uplink intervals of thesecondary nodes; and repeat a downlink message from primary node to thesecond secondary node during the proxy node interval.
 9. A system,comprising: modular subsystems, each of the modular subsystems having arespective monitored electrical component; a controller for the modularsubsystems; and a wireless management system for the modular subsystems,the wireless management system having: a primary node coupled to thecontroller; and a fixed set of secondary nodes, each secondary nodecoupled to or included with a respective modular subsystem of themodular subsystems, wherein the wireless management system is configuredto: establish a first network that defines the primary node and a fixedset of secondary nodes; and in response to a proxy node trigger,establish a second network that adds a proxy node capability to a givensecondary node of the fixed set of secondary nodes.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the proxy node trigger is initiated by one of the fixedset of secondary nodes.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the proxynode trigger is initiated by the primary node.
 12. The system of claim9, wherein the primary node is configured to: receive a routingadvertisement frame from one of the secondary nodes of the fixed set ofsecondary nodes; and generate the proxy node trigger based on therouting advertisement frame.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein thewireless management system is configured to: identify a first secondarynode of the fixed set of secondary nodes that is in communication withthe primary node; identify a second secondary node of the fixed set ofsecondary nodes that is not in communication with the primary node; andenable the first secondary node to operate as a proxy node that repeatsdownlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first secondary node isconfigured to aggregate an uplink message of the first secondary nodewith an uplink message of the second secondary node.
 15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the first secondary node is configured to aggregate andownlink message of the primary node with an uplink message of the firstsecondary node.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first secondarynode is configured to repeat a downlink message from primary node to thesecond secondary node during a downlink proxy node interval separatefrom a downlink interval of the primary node and uplink intervals of thesecondary nodes.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first secondarynode is configured to repeat an uplink message from the second secondarynode to the primary node during an uplink proxy node interval separatefrom a downlink interval of the primary node and uplink intervals of thesecondary nodes.
 18. The system of claim 9, wherein each respectivemonitored electrical component is a rechargeable battery.
 19. A methodfor use in a wireless management system with a primary node andsecondary nodes, the method comprising: identifying, by the primarynode, a first secondary node of the secondary nodes that is incommunication with the primary node; identifying, by the primary node, asecond secondary node of the secondary nodes not in communication withthe primary node; and using the first secondary node as a proxy nodethat repeats downlink messages to or uplink messages from the secondsecondary node.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprisingtransmitting, by the primary node, a proxy node assignment to the firstsecondary node after the first and second secondary nodes areidentified.
 21. The method of 19, further comprising using, by the firstsecondary node, an uplink interval of the first secondary node to repeatdownlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node.22. The method of 19, further comprising using, by the first secondarynode, an proxy node interval separate from a downlink interval of theprimary node and uplink intervals of the secondary nodes to repeatdownlink messages to or uplink messages from the second secondary node.